Disposable diaper having pressure-sensitive tape fastener and built-in disposal fastener

ABSTRACT

An improved fastening device for securing the corners of a disposable diaper incorporates a built-in device which is useful in disposing of the diaper after it has been soiled. The fastener itself comprises a strip of pressure-sensitive tape held in superposed relationship with respect to a corner of the diaper backing sheet prior to use. One end of the tape is directly adhered to the backing Sheet. A treated release liner is interposed between the backing sheet and the other end of the tape which is releasably held in contact with said release liner. The releasable end of the tape is peeled from the release liner when the tape fastener is placed in use in the course of diapering a baby. After the diaper is soiled, it is rolled or folded up whereupon means associated with the release liner are used for securing the rolled or folded diaper. The means may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive area remaining on the backing sheet when the release liner is removed, or the liner itself can be provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that remains adhered to the release liner when it is peeled off.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Dale A. Gellert Center Township,Dearborn County. Ind. [21] Appl. No. 20,679 [22] Filed Mar. 18, 1970[45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [73] Assignee The Procter 8i Gamble CompanyCincinnati. Ohio [54] DISPOSABLE DIAPER HAVING PRESSURE- SENSITIVE TAPEFASTENER AND BUILT-IN DISPOSAL FASTENER 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 128/284 [51] A6" 3/16 [50] Field of Search 128/284.

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,196,874 7/1965 Hrubecky128/287 2,714,889 8/1955 Chambers 128/287 2,627,858 2/1953 Miller128/287 3,554,195 l/l97l Barnes... 128/287 3,561,446 2/1971 Jones, Jr128/287 2,649,858 8/1953 Le Bolt 128/287 Re.26,l5l l/l967 Duncan et al128/287 3,049,228 8/1962 Burnett 128/287 Primary Examiner-Charles F.Rosenbaum Au0rneys Fredrick H. Braun and John V. Gorman ABSTRACT: Animproved fastening device for securing the corners of a disposablediaper incorporates a built-in device which is useful in disposing ofthe diaper after it has been soiled. The fastener itself comprises astrip of pressure-sensitive tape held in superposed relationship withrespect to a corner of the diaper backing sheet prior to use. One end ofthe tape is directly adhered to the backing Sheet. A treated releaseliner is interposed between the backing sheet and the other end of thetape which is releasably held in contact with said release liner. Thereleasable end of the tape is peeled from the release liner when thetape fastener is placed in use in the course of diapering a baby. Afterthe diaper is soiled, it is rolled or folded up whereupon meansassociated with the release liner are used for securing the rolled orfolded diaper. The means may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive arearemaining on the backing sheet when the release liner is removed, or

the liner itself can be provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive thatremains adhered to the release liner when it is peeled off.

PATENTEDHOV 1s ISYI 3,620,217

Fig.1 1 Fig. 6 l8 INVICN'IUR.

Dale A. Gellert ATTORNEY DISPOSABLE DIAPER HAVING PRESSURE-SENSITIVETAPE FASTENER AND BUILT-IN DISPOSAL FASTENER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION The subject matter of the present application is in someways related to the inventive concept described and claimed in theeopending application of Dale A. Gellert entitled IM- PROVED PRESSURESENSITIVE TAPE FASTENER FOR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS, Ser. No. 12,656, filedon Feb. 19, 1970. Said Gellert application discloses and claims apressuresensitive tape fastener having an improved securement means forthe releasable end of the tape which may, if desired, be used inassociation with the subject matter of the inventive concept of thepresent application. Whenever reference is made to said Gellertapplication, herein, it will be understood to refer to the above-citedapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of pressure-sensitive tape fastenersfor securing the corners of a diaper is a well-known expedient in theart. In fact, an example of this type of device is described in US. Pat.Re. No. 26,151 entitled DISPOSABLE DIAPER which issued to Robert C.Duncan et al. on Jan. 31, 1967. The Duncan et a1. patent is commonlyowned by the assignee of both the present application and said Gellertapplication.

Previous pressure-sensitive tape fasteners, however, have been limitedto the sole utility of providing a means for fastening the comers of thediaper when in use. After the diaper was soiled, the prior known tapefasteners were removed either by peeling or tearing and the problem ofdisposing of the soiled diaper remained. In some cases, the diaper couldbe disposed of by merely removing the plastic backing sheet andthereafter disposing of the diaper by flushing it down the water closet.While it has been shown that this means of disposal is not detrimentalto the sanitary sewer system, it has led to a certain amount ofapprehension on the part of some users who are reluctant to dispose ofdiapers in this fashion.

Another means of disposal merely contemplates the folding,

rolling or wadding of the soiled diaper for placement in a suitablecontainer for eventual disposal. However, the disposal of diapers inthis fashion is somewhat more convenient and less noxious if the soileddiaper can be maintained in its folded or rolled condition prior to andduring its placement in the disposal container. The use of separateexternal devices has been proposed but to date no suitably satisfactoryintegral device has been devised for accomplishing this function as anaid in the disposal of soiled diapers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The nature and substance of the invention willbe more readily appreciated after giving consideration to its major aimsand purposes. The principal objects of the invention are recited in theensuing paragraphs in order to provide a better appreciation of itsimportant aspects prior to describing the details of a preferredembodiment in later portions of this description.

A major object of the invention is the provision of an improvedpressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper which can beused to hold the corners of the diaper during nonnal usage and whichincorporates a built-in disposal device which can be used for securingthe soiled diaper after it has been rolled or folded up.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved fastenerof the above character which is provided with a release liner that canbe conveniently removed after the diaper has been soiled in order toprovide a securing means either by the use of an adhesive area beneaththe release liner or by the use of the release liner itself.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedpressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper which providesa straightforward and simple device for sealing a soiled diaper after ithas been rolled or folded up and one that can be readily manufactured ona production basis at commercially feasible speeds.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a diaper having apressure-sensitive tape fastener attached to one corner of the backingsheet. One end of the fastener is directly attached to the backing sheetthere being a release liner interposed between the backing sheet and theother end of the tape fastener to provide a releasable end. Thereleasable end is readily peeled from the release liner to permit theuse of the pressure-sensitive tape as a conventional fastening devicefor securing opposed comers of a diaper. Afier the diaper has beensoiled, it can be rolled or folded up whereupon the release liner isremoved from the backing sheet, there being means associated with saidrelease liner to secure the ends of the soiled diaper after it has beenrolled or folded into a suitably disposable form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes withclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subjectmatter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed theinvention will be better understood from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a comer of a disposable diaper towhich the invention has been applied in one form.

FIG. 2 is a cross section in elevation of the corner of the diaper takenon the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating thepressure-sensitive tape fastener when in use for holding adjoiningdiaper comers.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing one embodiment of theinvention wherein the release liner is being removed by peeling toexpose an adhesive area for use after the diaper is rolled or folded up.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the rolled diaper and showingthe manner in which the adhesive areas of FIG. 4 may be used to securethe ends of the rolled diaper prior to disposal.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a corner of a disposable diaper towhich a modified form of the invention has been ap plied.

FIG. 7 is a cross section in elevation of the corner of the diaper takenon the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the fastener of FIG. 6 illustratingthe manner in which the release liner is removed preparatory to using itto seal the soiled diaper after it is rolled or folded.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a rolled diaper that has been securedby the release liner removed as in the manner of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Pressure-sensitive tapefasteners with the built-in disposal fastener of the invention areuseful and beneficial when ap plied to conventional disposable diapers,particularly of the kind that have a plastic backing sheet. As anillustration of the type of diaper to which the invention is veryreadily adapted, reference is again made to the above cited U.S. Pat.Re. No. 26,151 of Duncan et al. issued .Ian. 31, 1967. It will beapparent from the following description that the disposal fastenerillustrated and described herein may be applied to the comer of a diaperof that particular design and configuration. On the other hand, it willbe understood that the invention is not limited to any specific diaperstructure or configuration and that the Duncan et al. patent isincorporated herein by reference merely for the sake of illustrating atypical example of the kind of diaper to which the present invention canbe usefully applied.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be noted-thatthese views represent the upper corner of a portion of a diaper 10 whichmay comprise an absorbent core ll selected from any well-known materialhaving good fluid-absorbing characteristics such as absorbent wadding,cellulosic fluff or the like. A water-impervious plastic (e.g.,polyethylene film) backing sheet 12 is used for the back surface of thediaper itself. It will be understood, however, that the backing sheet 12may be any suitable material such as a nonwoven fabric and need not beplastic, particularly when the diaper is to be covered with plasticpanties or the like. The backing sheet 12 has a narrow margin 13 foldedover at 14 to cover the top edge of the absorbent core 11 to the inneredge 15 of the backing sheet 12.

A pressure-sensitive tape fastener 16 is provided which has one end,i.e., an attached end 17, that is directly secured and strongly adheredto the lower surface of the backing sheet 12 as shown in FIG. 2 (forsimplicity of illustration, only one tape 16 is shown but it will beunderstood that normally two tapes 16 are provided on two diaper cornersin a complete structure). The other end of the tape 16, i.e., thereleasable end 18, is initially held down but is not directly adhered tothe backing sheet 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and will be hereinafterdescribed in greater detail. The pressure-sensitive tape 16 ispreferably a papcrbacked tape but it can also be any one of severalwell-known commercial types including the type having a polyethylenebacking. In either case, it can be used with or without reinforcing. Thepressure-sensitive adhesive on the tape 16 is preferably selected sothat it will be least irritating to a tender baby's skin.

A release liner 19 is provided as shown in the drawings. The releaseliner 19 is interposed between the backing sheet 12 and the releasableend 18 of the tape 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the releaseliner 19 is affixed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive area 20 by which itis adhered to the backing sheet 12 (the adhesive area 20 is ofexaggerated thickness in the drawing merely for the sake ofillustration). The pressuresensitive adhesive area 20 has sufficientbond strength to retain the release liner 19 in position when the tape16 is assembled and used in its intended manner. The adhesive area 20may originally be adhered to the release liner l9 and transferredtherefrom to the backing sheet 12 or it may be applied directly to thebacking sheet 12 prior to affixing the release liner I9 thereto. Theupper surface 21 of the release liner 19 is silicone treated so that ithas minimal adhesive attachment, if any, with respect to the superposedsurface of the releasable end 18 of the tape fastener 16. The releaseliner 19 may be polyethylene or paper or any suitable equivalent thereofthat will achieve the objects of the invention.

Securement means may be provided in order to hold down the releasableend 18 of the fastener 16 at a predetermined limited area and tomaintain it in superposition with respect to said release liner 19 priorto use. The securement means may take any one of several forms asillustrated and described in said Gellert application. By way ofexample, a particular securement means is illustrated in the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2 which comprises a pair of apertures 22 formed throughthe release liner l9 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive area 20 so thatthe pressure-sensitive adhesive on the releasable end 18 is directlyadhered to the backing sheet 12 in the area of the apertures 22. Theadvantages and benefits of this type of securement means will beunderstood by making reference to said Gellert application wherein otherforms of that concept are also described and claimed.

The pressure-sensitive tape fastener 16 is used in the present inventionby merely lifting and peeling the releasable end 18 from the releaseliner l9 whereupon it can be attached to a comer 23 to hold it injuxtaposition with the comer 24 as illustrated in FIG. 3. This is awell-known and conventional manner of using a pressure-sensitive tape 16for securing adjoining corners of a diaper.

After the diaper has been soiled, it may be rolled up for disposal(while the soiled diaper will hereafier be referred to as being rolledup for disposal, it will be understood that the invention in any formcan also be practiced on the soiled diaper by folding, wadding orotherwise concentrating its bulk into a compact form). Means areprovided in the present diaper 19 for securing and maintaining therolled up diaper in such condition and these will now be described inrelation to FIGS. 4 and 5.

It will be noted that the spent fastener 16 is preferably removed fromthe diaper comers 23 and 24 by tearing intermediate its ends although itcould also be removed by peeling or otherwise. The release liner 19 isthen lifted and peeled leaving an exposed area 20 coated withpressure-sensitive adhesive which is used as a built-in disposalfastener. 0n rolling up the diaper to obtain the compact form 25 asshown in FIG. 5, the areas 20 of pressure-sensitive adhesive are used tosecure the comers to the underlying area of the rolled up diaper 25 inorder to maintain it in that condition. The resultant structure iscompact and readily disposable. It also has the advantage of beingenclosed by the backing sheet 12 which is of assistance in minimizingodors that may emanate from the soiled diaper.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 inwhich a modified form of release liner is used to provide essentiallysimilar benefits and results. Identical reference numerals will be usedthroughout the following description to represent any elements that areidentical to those previously described with respect to the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the pressure-sensitive tape fastener16 is secured in a very similar manner to that illustrated and describedin connection with FIG. 2 of the drawing. As in the previous embodiment,the release liner 26 is directly secured to the backing sheet 12 suchthat it is interposed between the backing sheet 12 and the releasableend l8 of the pressure-sensitive tape fastener 16. However, the materialof the release liner 26 and the adhesive 27 (FIG. 8) are each selectedso that the adhesive 27 will adhere to the liner 26 when it is laterpeeled from a soiled diaper.

The application of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 for securing a diaperat its comers is similar to that previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2. The releasable end 18 is merely peeled from the liner 26whereupon it can be secured in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.

The soiled diaper may be disposed of in much the same manner as thepreviously described embodiment using the liner 26 as a built-indisposal fastener. When ready for disposal, the release liner 26 ispeeled from the backing sheet 12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8.However, the liner 26 is preserved as the pressure-sensitive adhesive 27adhering to the release liner 26 makes it possible to reuse the liner 26as a built-in disposal fastener. After rolling up the soiled diaper intothe compact form 28 shown in FIG. 9, the removed release liners 26 arereused in the manner illustrated to secure the edge 29 therebymaintaining the diaper in rolled form. The resultant rolled-up diaper 28is readily disposable while being provided in a compact and protectedform for that purpose.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that numerousmodifications can be made without affecting the concept of theinvention. For example, while in each illustrated embodiment, thepressure-sensitive tape fastener 16 is shown in a form wherein it isfolded around an edge, the built-in disposable fastener concept isequally effective when the entire tape 16 is mounted on a continuoussubstantially planar surface. Similarly, the tape 16 could be mounted atan angle with respect to the side edges of the diaper or it could even,if desired, have the release liner under the opposite end from thatillustrated in the drawing although this may be less practical in theparticular form of diaper to which it has been applied in the foregoingdescription.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appendedclaims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a disposable diaper having a backing sheet, the improvementcomprising the combination of,

a. a pressure-sensitive tape fastener having an attached end and areleasable end, said attached end being secured to said backing sheet,

b. a release liner secured to said backing sheet, said release linerbeing interposed between said backing sheet and the releasable end ofsaid tape fastener, said release liner having its upper surface treatedto give it minimal adhesive attachment to said releasable end of saidtape fastener,

c. said releasable end being removable from said release liner to permitits use as a fastening device for said diaper by adhering saidreleasable end to a comer area of said diaper, and

d. means associated with said release liner to provide a built-indisposal fastener for said diaper for securing the soiled diaper afterit is rolled up for disposal.

2. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimedin claim I wherein said built-in disposal fastener comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive interposed between said release liner andsaid backing sheet, said adhesive remaining adhered to said backingsheet on removal of said release liner to provide a pressure-sensitiveadhesive area for use in holding said soiled diaper after it has beenrolled.

3. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimedin claim 1 wherein said built-in disposal fastener comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive on said release liner whereby the releaseliner is adhered to said backing sheet, said adhesive remaining adheredto said release liner on removal thereof to convert said release linerinto a separate pressuresensitive fastening device for use in holdingsaid soiled diaper after it has been rolled.

4. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimedin claim 2 including securement means contacting a limited area of thereleasable end of said tape fastener to adhesively secure it insuperposed relation to the release liner.

5. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimedin claim 3 including securement means contacting a limited area of thereleasable end of said tape fastener to adhesively secure it insuperposed relation to the release liner.

t i i i

1. In a disposable diaper having a backing sheet, the improvement comprising the combination of, a. a pressure-sensitive tape fastener having an attached end and a releasable end, said attached end being secured to said backing sheet, b. a release liner secured to said backing sheet, said release liner being interposed between said backing sheet and the releasable end of said tape fastener, said release liner having its upper surface treated to give it minimal adhesive attachment to said releasable end of said tape fastener, c. said releasable end being removable from said release liner to permit its use as a fastening device for said diaper by adhering said releasable end to a corner area of said diaper, and d. means associated with said release liner to provide a builtin disposal fastener for said diaper for securing the soiled diaper after it is rolled up for disposal.
 2. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimed in claim 1 wherein said built-in disposal fastener comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive interposed between said release liner and said backing sheet, said adhesive remaining adhered to said backing sheet on removal of said release liner to provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive area for use in holding said soiled diaper after it has been rolled.
 3. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimed in claim 1 wherein said built-in disposal fastener comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive on said release liner whereby the release liner is adhered to said backing sheet, said adhesive remaining adhered to said release liner on removal thereof to convert said release liner into a separate pressure-sensitive fastening device for use in holding said soiled diaper after it has been rolled.
 4. A pressure-sensiTive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimed in claim 2 including securement means contacting a limited area of the releasable end of said tape fastener to adhesively secure it in superposed relation to the release liner.
 5. A pressure-sensitive tape fastener for a disposable diaper as claimed in claim 3 including securement means contacting a limited area of the releasable end of said tape fastener to adhesively secure it in superposed relation to the release liner. 